Books like Master Of The Five Magics
30 fantasy books to read after Master Of The Five Magics, by Hardy, Lyndon, the closest match first.
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Magics book 1 Start here
1. Master Of The Five Magics
by Hardy, Lyndon
- Same series
- Same author
A series with the most logical and detailed magic systems ever invented. This is one for those analytical readers who like magic to actually make sense and follow consistent rules.
The story follows Alodar, an apprentice magician, as he discovers and masters the five paths of magic. It's an exciting adventure that's virtually unknown by the modern fantasy reader and...
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Magics book 2
2. Secret Of The Sixth Magic
by Hardy, Lyndon
- Same series
- Same author
Beyond the five magics. The laws of the five magics were being set aside. First to go were those of the high art of sorcery. Then true magic, upon which...
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Magics book 3
3. Riddle Of The Seven Realms
by Hardy, Lyndon
- Same series
- Same author
Tells the story of Kestrel's encounter with the lady wizard, Phoebe, and follows their travels across universes as he attempts to save his world
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4. Swordspoint: A Melodrama Of Manners
by Kushner, Ellen
- On the same lists
Considering the theatrical title of the book, this is a light and easy to read fantasy that manages to be equal parts refreshing and enchanting.Why it made this listWe love...
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5. The Seventh Sword
by Duncan, Dave
- On the same lists
In the 80s, a variety of subgenres, new directions and styles evolved. Some were gritty and mentally taxing – requiring some emotional work on the reader's part. Luckily, Dave Duncan...
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Runelords book 1 Start here
6. The Runelords
by Farland, David
- On the same lists
David Farland’s Runelords series may be divisive in some regards, but his unique magic systemsare hard to deny. The concept of Endowments is by far the most interesting of the...
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Magic Ex Libris book 1 Start here
7. Libriomancer
by Hines, Jim C.
- On the same lists
Many feel a sense of wonder when they’re absorbed in a novel, but in Libromancerthis feelingtakes on a physical form. Mages are able to reach into works of fiction and...
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The Grimnoir Chronicles book 1 Start here
8. Hard Magic
by Correia, Larry
- On the same lists
Usually, a superpower system wouldn’t make this list, but the detail and logic Coreia imbues makes it a must read. ‘Actives’ are a small, yet growing percentage of the population,...
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Dance Of The Rings book 1 Start here
9. Ring Of Lightning
by Fancher, Jane S.
- On the same lists
Though physical buildings often play their part in magic-based strategy games, they rarely make it into novels. An exception is Jane S. Fancher’s Ring Dancers series, where powerful leylines device...
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10. The Crooked Letter
by Williams, Sean
- On the same lists
Two young men on a trip to Europe, the twins Seth and Hadrian, are separated when Seth is murdered. His spirit is taken to a strange and hostile realm, while...
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11. The Books Of Change
by Williams, Sean
- On the same lists
Earth’s greatest feats of power come from nature, and this holds true in Sean Williams’ world. Magic in The Stone Mage and the Sea is stored in natural locations, built...
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12. The Magister Trilogy
by Friedman, C.s.
- On the same lists
Friedman has featured on this list already, but like all good world-builders, she has more than one idea floating around. The trilogy’s first book, Feast of Souls, ends up being...
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The Age Of Discovery book 1 Start here
13. Cartomancy
by Stackpole, Micheal A.
- On the same lists
They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill, but anything after that and you reach the point of diminishing returns. In Cartomancy, practice doesn’t just make perfect, it...
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14. The Horns Of Ruin
by Akers, Tim
- On the same lists
In Tim Akers’ world, the gods were once mortal. At face value, that doesn’t sound particularly interesting, but there’s a caveat. Gods become powerful by performing amazing feats, be it...
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15. Craft Sequence
by Gladstone, Max
- On the same lists
If a magic system was by alawyer, this would be it. That may sound like a boring concept, but Max Gladstone’s execution is far from it. In his urban fantasy...
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16. The Belgariad
by Eddings, David
- On the same lists
The protagonist was brought up on a farm and while he does not believe the old stories, he is soon led on a quest of magic, danger, and prophecy.
There are five books in this series – the first being Pawn of Prophecy. This isn't fantasy with a lesson. Nor is it fantasy with emotional depth. And it doesn't...
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17. Chronicles Of The Black Company
by Cook, Glen
- On the same lists
Cook has real-life naval experience and this series benefits from that experience—realistic, gritty, amoral harsh, from battle sequences to characterizations.
This was one of the first gritty fantasies to hit the shelves. To appreciate this work fully, imagine what it must have been like to encounter the kind of dark...
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The Death Gate Cycle book 1 Start here
18. Dragon Wing
by Weis, Margaret
- On the same lists
The Death Gate Cycle
The Death Gate Cycle has been praised endlessly for its world-building, so it’s no surprise that an incredible magic system backs it up. Humans are split into two races, the...
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Xanth book 1 Start here
19. A Spell For Chameleon
by Anthony, Piers
- On the same lists
When this came out, there was nothing like it. The consensus is that you'll either love the Xanth books or hate them. If you fell into the latter category it...
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Vlad Taltos book 1 Start here
20. Jhereg
by Brust, Steven
- On the same lists
The genius of this series lies in the exquisite character development – especially in relation to the hero, Vlad Taltos. We're accustomed to rooting for anti-heroes these days, (Hi, Dexter...
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21. Icewind Dale
by Salvatore, R.a.
- On the same lists
If you're a fan of RPG, Icewind Dale will appeal to you. It takes place in the Forgotten Realms – a world in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. Yes, it's...
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The Riftwar book 1 Start here
22. Magician
by Feist, Raymond
- On the same lists
Like David Eddings, Feist was one of the first fantasy novelists to have measurable commercial success – the kind that landed him on the bestseller list. It had a lasting...
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Mistborn book 1 Start here
23. Mistborn
by Sanderson, Brandon
- On the same lists
Brandon Sanderson is well-known for his magic systems, and Mistborn standshigh above the rest. In the Final Empire, ash falls from the sky, mist moves unnaturally through the night, and...
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24. Kingkiller Chronicle
by Rothfuss, Patrick
- On the same lists
The Kingkiller Chronicles has multiple magic systems, and the first won’t excite at first glance. As in The Wizard of Earthsea, certain magicians can create powerful magic by learning the...
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25. The Rithamatist
by Sanderson, Brandon
- On the same lists
The Rithmatist’s magic system has been likened to a real-time strategy game, if it incorporated chalk, and it was a life or death situation. Rithmastists use their magic to give...
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26. The Lightbringer
by Weeks, Brent
- On the same lists
The Lightbringer series holds one of the best magic systems in fantasy, straight from the mind of Brent Weeks. It manages to be simple in concept, yet holds tons of...
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The Saga Of Recluce book 1 Start here
27. The Saga Of Recluce
by Jr., L. E. Modesitt
- On the same lists
The Saga of Reclucedescribes a constant war between order and chaos, and its magic system is a significant part of that. Where Order is present in the molecular bonds that...
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28. Skullsworn
by Staveley, Brian
- On the same lists
Most magic systems have a single source. In Earthsea, it’s words, Mistborn has metals, and so on. With his worldseries, Stavely does things a little differently. Magic users, known as...
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The Powder Mage book 1 Start here
29. Powder Mage
by Mcclellan, Brian
- On the same lists
Like many books on this list, The Powder Mage Cycle doesn’t contain just one magic system. However, the one synonymous with its name stands out the most, and it’s easy...
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Mythago Wood book 1 Start here
30. Mythago Wood
by Holdstock, Robert
- On the same lists
There are many novels and novellas in this cycle which take place in a forest that has been untouched since the last ice age. It is a labyrinth, a place of peril and living myths.
'Unique' is a vastly overused word. It has about as much meaning as Kim K's twitter feed. But in the case of Mythago Wood, it's warranted. Firstly, Holdstock tells the...
Matches come from series and authors, from the lists the books share, and from the books readers open together. They are rebuilt every night. Back to Master Of The Five Magics.
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